In today’s digital age, personal laptops have become a necessity for students and researchers. Unfortunately, a study conducted by EDUCAUSE revealed that one in ten students have primary learning devices that aren’t equipped to perform tasks required for their coursework. Most students need laptops with high-quality graphics and long-lasting battery power so they can utilize learning software programs, like Blackboard, Zoom, and Teams. That said, students should consider the features and internal components of these devices to ensure that they can support the digital programs and activities needed for their education.
However, students conducting research studies need additional specifications, like bigger memory space, to install advanced statistical programs, for example. Furthermore, personal laptops with optimized, high-speed designs are necessary for research activities as this allows researchers to multitask on different applications at a steady and consistent pace. So if you want to find laptops that can provide these features, then here are some options to consider:
Acer Chromebook 512 (Budget-Friendly Option)
Acer Chromebook 512 C851-C9CF - 12" LED - Celeron N4000 - 4GB RAM - 32GB eMMC
Specifications:
- 12-inch screen size
- Intel Celeron N3450 Processor
- 64 GB HDD Storage
- 4 GB RAM
You can conduct your research studies without breaking the bank by using the Acer Chromebook 512. This device is a good, budget-friendly option since the integrated Intel CPU can handle high graphics without consuming too much power. The Chromebook also has a military standard and impact-resistant build that can withstand bumps and even liquid spills. Though some features are at the lower end of the spectrum, students still get a durable device perfect for writing, researching, and presenting studies.
Apple MacBook Air 2023 (Laptop for Greater Data Security)
2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop: Apple M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID. Works with iPhone/iPad; Space Gray
$899.00 in stock
2 used from $562.49
Specifications:
- 13.3-inch screen size
- Dual-core Intel Core i3 processor
- 256 SSD Storage
- 8 GB RAM
The Macbook Air is highly regarded for its device performance, but researchers would particularly benefit from this device’s security features. For instance, researchers can activate Mac’s FileVault protection to enable data encryption features on the device. Since this feature automatically encrypts all data on the drive, users will need to input their login credentials to access files. This extra layer of security and privacy is essential for students who need to protect the identity of their study subjects or secure confidential information from their research.
HP Pavilion X360 (Laptop for Intensive Research)
HP 2020 Newest Pavilion X360 2-in-1 Convertible 14" HD Touch-Screen Laptop, 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1, 8GB Ram, 128GB Ssd, Wifi, Webcam, Win 10 S
$428.00 in stock
5 used from $279.00
Specifications:
- 15.6-inch screen size
- Intel 8th Gen i5 Core
- 1 TB Storage
- 8 GB RAM
The HP Pavilion X360 offers great performance, so you can pull all-nighters and utilize multiple software programs. The laptop offers large device storage so you can save files, software programs, and even some games on the side. Plus, thanks to its specs, this laptop promises a lag-free performance, even if you operate multiple applications at once. So if you’re conducting data-heavy research on advanced statistical programs, the HP Pavilion X360 can help you get your research done at a fast rate.
LG Gram 17 (Best for Visual Presentations)
LG Gram 17Z90P Laptop 17" IPS Ultra-Lightweight, (2560 x 1600), Intel Evo 11th gen Core i7, 16GB RAM, 2TB SSD, Upgradeable Windows 10 Home, Alexa Built-in, 2X USB-C, HDMI, USB-A - Black
2 used from $991.76
Specifications:
- 15.6-inch screen size
- Intel 8th Gen i7 Core
- 1 TB Storage
- 16 GB RAM
Graphics are increasingly important for researchers conducting studies related to design or preparing the presentation of their design. So if you’re conducting a research study wherein graphics or visuals are important, then the lightweight and slim LG Gram 17 would be a helpful tool. This device has a 16:10 display format with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, allowing you to create finer graphic details with its touch-screen feature. Despite its graphic-focused specifications, the LG Gram 17 packs a lot of power since it can handle 19 hours of battery life.
Conclusion
Personal laptops are essential tools for research. They require a robust device to facilitate their data collection, paper writing, and presentations. Plus, they’re extremely portable. All you need is a decent laptop backpack to carry it around.
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